UPDATE FEBURARY 2017: Faced with complete refusal, the developers have tweeked the application to 9 ‘Millionaire Mansions’ and 31 parking spaces. We believe it’s a cynical attempt to split the same scale of housing into two phases. More here.
MAY 2016: A formal Planning Application has been submitted to build a 1,400sq m mega-surgery, with more parking and a 120sq m on-site pharmacy – along with a 24-home housing estate on the Green Space of Glebe field.
Here’s our take on things:
The proposed development of the Glebe by Chichester Diocese is contrary to current village forward planning, the Neighbourhood Plan and Horsham District Council’s planning intentions.
- The need for improved medical services for the village is fully understood and agreed.
- Horsham District Council spent £650,000 of our money buying the Millstream Surgery. Since then the site has been unused for over 2 years.
- WHY is the Millstream site with its central location, existing parking and building not a viable option? Who has decided that it’s not viable? Where’s the research?
- The Glebe Field is owned by the Diocese of Chichester. The Diocese will not sell additional land for surgery development, UNLESS THEIR ADDITIONAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS ALSO APPROVED.
- The Diocese will not remove the covenant placed on the surgery which restricts the use of the land to a doctors surgery only. Thus our new surgery and their houses are the ransom held over our village.
- Can the Tesco roundabout – already one of the village’s worst traffic spots – handle a proposed new surgery, a new pharmacy and 24 new homes?
- Should the Church be forcing our doctors into fronting a scheme that goes against the Storrington Neighbourhood Plan?
- Neither Horsham Council or the Parish Council approve of Glebe field development.
Does the Church have the right to treat Storrington people and its open spaces like this?